How do I start Cru at my school? 

When you work under your own strength, the outcome is in your hands. But when you pray, God goes to work for you! Start by inviting a group of classmates, teammates, or friends from church to gather and pray for your school. 

You might want to consider doing a prayer walk, which is just what it sounds like. Walk around or near your school and pray (in your head) for the students, teams and clubs, teachers and administrators, and for God make a way for you to tell others about Him.

After you've prayed for your school individually and with others, start talking with other students about Cru and wanting to start a club. One way to start is by inviting friends from your local church or classmates that you've had spiritual conversations with to join you. 

Most schools will require you to have a few students (typically five others) to start a club. 

As a student, you have the legal right to gather other religious students and to talk about your beliefs on campus. You can learn more here. 

Once you've got a few dedicated students who want to start Cru, you can move to the next step. 

Launching a ministry can be difficult.  Sometimes it helps to have a real, live person helping you walk through the steps to launch your ministry.

A coach is an expert in high school campus ministry that now spends their time helping people like you start new groups.  They have lots of experience, a deep love for Jesus, and a desire to help you win in ministry. 

For more on getting a coach, go to cru.org/gotothecampus/launch

A teacher sponsor is key to being an official club at a middle or high school campus. Your school has other clubs and groups, and each club has a teacher sponsor who is the official connection to the school administration. 

You cannot have an on-campus Cru club without a teacher sponsor.

Any teacher can be a great teacher sponsor, but here are a few characteristics to look out for in a Cru teacher sponsor:

• A Believer - They have a relationship with Jesus.

• Respected by Administration - A teacher sponsor who is respected by other teachers and administrators is priceless.

• Liked by Students - A popular teacher can help you bring more students to the club.

Finally, set up an appointment with your principal or the administrator who is over student clubs and organizations. You should stop by the front desk and see if they have time for you to swing by and visit within the week, or you can email them directly if their email address is public. 

During the visit, here are a couple of suggestions:

• Invite your teacher who is willing to sponsor the club to join you

• If you have a Cru staff that has been assigned to your school.... ask them if they would like to attend the meeting

• Limit the number of students in the meeting to only 2 or 3

• Bring a list of students who have expressed an interest in starting Cru at your school

• Explain what Cru is and how you believe it would benefit the school

• Ask for their advice on how to be successful on campus and if they have any questions for you